Rad Colllab Flags

For those about to collaborate, we salute you!

Every glorious collective endeavor deserves its own flag. This fact that does not need to be cited, claimed, nor debated in any degree of detail.

The ongoing Rad Collab Flag project proclaims the power of collective creativity by David Buckley Borden and collaborators in an ongoing series of handmade large-format flags. Each Rad Collab Flag is equal parts graphic representation, creative celebration, project commemoration, and collective recognition. With a few choice colors, bold forms, and left-handed graphic jabs, each flag captures the singular spirit of its respective collaboration.

Past Rad Collab Flags were funded by the Fuller Initiative for Productive Landscapes at the University of Oregon, the Oregon State University Foundation’s Andrews Fund, and the sale of vexillography artwork on this website.

Rachel Carlson sports the Science or Death Flag, which is equipped with common field research tech to celebrate the critical collaboration between science and society.  The Science or Death Flag was inspired by three years of critical conv

Rachel Carlson sports the Science or Death Flag, which is equipped with common field research tech to celebrate the critical collaboration between science and society. 

The Science or Death Flag was inspired by three years of critical conversations of concern for the PNW ecosystems and the populations that call them home. The field equipment (heat guarded sensor, anemometer, and thermometer) symbolizes a culture of rigorous research and knowledge. The Gothic flourishes and the six stripes in the canton are a public acknowledgment of the ongoing sixth mass extinction. 

Science or Death Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2021. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Michael Demaggio, and Ian Escher Vierck.

Sabine Winkler presents a high-viz EWS Camp Flag , in the classic black-white-red colorway, to announce a welcoming "safe camp" amidst local environmental collapse. The EWS Camp Flag features a not-so-secret message in the graphic-folk language

Sabine Winkler presents a high-viz EWS Camp Flag, in the classic black-white-red colorway, to announce a welcoming "safe camp" amidst local environmental collapse.

The EWS Camp Flag features a not-so-secret message in the graphic-folk language known as the Environmental Wayfinding System (EWS). This fire-retardant fabric flag is flown outside community centers, public spaces, open-homes, and backwoods camps to welcome folks to learn about EWS and how to use the environmental communication tool to navigate challenges on the path to global ecological collapse. All are welcome. 

EWS Camp Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2023. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden and Sabine Winkler.

Ed Abby waves a Collective Action Power Flag as an urgent call for creativity-powered collaborative action. Collective Action Power Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2023. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Jack K. Byers, and Asa DeWitt

Ed Abby waves a Collective Action Power Flag as an urgent call for creativity-powered collaborative action.

Collective Action Power Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2023. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Jack K. Byers, and Asa DeWitt.

Charles Young presents the Lame Duck Flag and an aggressive stance against invasive species along the Willamette River in Eugene, Oregon. Lame Duck Flag , marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2021. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Michael Demagg

Charles Young presents the Lame Duck Flag and an aggressive stance against invasive species along the Willamette River in Eugene, Oregon.

Lame Duck Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2021. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Michael Demaggio, and Ian Escher Vierck.

Ashley Ferguson captures the industrious Castor canadensis spirit with the PNW Eco Engineer Flag . Eco Engineer Flag , marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2023. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Michael Demaggio, and Sabine Winkler.

Ashley Ferguson captures the industrious Castor canadensis spirit with the PNW Eco Engineer Flag.

Eco Engineer Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2023. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Michael Demaggio, and Sabine Winkler.

Julia Butterfly Hill stands tall to protect and to serve trees with the 44th Regiment Tree Guard Flag in hand. 44th Regiment Tree Guard Flag , marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2021. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Sabine Winkler, and Ian

Julia Butterfly Hill stands tall to protect and to serve trees with the 44th Regiment Tree Guard Flag in hand.

44th Regiment Tree Guard Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2021. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Sabine Winkler, and Ian Escher Vierck.

Aldo Leopold honors the Hot Ashes for Trees Flag , in deference to the never-ending cycle of wildfire ecology within the PNW. Hot Ashes for Trees Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2024. Collaborators: Jackie Barry, David Buckley Borden, Mi

Aldo Leopold honors the Hot Ashes for Trees Flag, in deference to the never-ending cycle of wildfire ecology within the PNW.

Hot Ashes for Trees Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2024. Collaborators: Jackie Barry, David Buckley Borden, Michael Demaggio, and Sabine Winkler.

Winona LaDuke channels the Ride the Lightning Flag to serve as a towering lightning rod for environmental justice. Ride the Lightning Flag , marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2021. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, and Sabine Winkler.

Winona LaDuke channels the Ride the Lightning Flag to serve as a towering lightning rod for environmental justice.

Ride the Lightning Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2021. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, and Sabine Winkler.

John Muir was a goth and has the Arboreal Gothique Flag to prove it. Arboreal Goth Flag , marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2023. Collaborators: Vinnie Arnone, David Buckley Borden, and Asa DeWitt.

John Muir was a goth and has the Arboreal Gothique Flag to prove it.

Arboreal Goth Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2023. Collaborators: Vinnie Arnone, David Buckley Borden, and Asa DeWitt.

Nancy Silvers wrestles the Hazardous Monkey Flag to give voice to the latent activist in all of us.  The Hazardous Monkey Flag captures the spirit of the Enviro Barn Quilt project with a remix of graphic traditions from quilt blocks, haz

Nancy Silvers wrestles the Hazardous Monkey Flag to give voice to the latent activist in all of us. 

The Hazardous Monkey Flag captures the spirit of the Enviro Barn Quilt project with a remix of graphic traditions from quilt blocks, hazardous-material signs, and taxidermy. The “monkey wrench” quilt block design (made from deconstructed hazardous-warning signs) radically screams for change. The layered graphic also slyly captures an abstract bear skin rug found in corporate cave dwellings of yore.  

Hazardous Monkey Flag, marine-grade canvas, 3 x 5 feet, 2024. Collaborators: David Buckley Borden, Ashley Ferguson, and Sabine Winkler.